Quick Look: 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro

Halo cars are designed to show buyers what a particular car company is capable of, thereby garnering attention for the brand and driving sales of regular production models. Halo trucks work the same way, as rigs like the 2015 Ford F-150 Raptor and 2015 Ram Power Wagon give truck buyers something cool to lust after, while they order their budget-friendly F-150 XLT or Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. Toyota’s fullsize truck, the 2015 Toyota Tundra, has been experiencing a rapid decline in popularity and sales. Its aging design, and lack of competitive refinements has hurt the big Yoda. So they’re hoping a Baja-themed halo truck will bring buyers back in the showroom. But will the 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro actually be able to pull off a sales coup? Let’s find out…

The 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro has been breathed upon by the off-road gurus within Toyota Racing Development, and it features some meaningful upgrades. For example, the suspension has been re-tuned to provide more wheel travel, and better control over varying terrains. To do this, they used specially calibrated Bilstein shocks, teamed with TRD springs that provide 2-inches of additional ride height, along with decreased spring rates for a smoother ride over rough terrain. The shocks also have internal hydraulic bump-stops with external reservoirs, for reliability, and optimum control when you’re hauling ass across the desert.

All of that new-found control is transferred to the ground through a set of black 18-inch TRD wheels, wrapped in P255/40R18 Michelin OR tires. A sturdy front skid plate protects the engine from damage out on the trail. And thanks to the standard TRD performance exhaust system, the 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro announces itself with a deep, throaty growl.

The 5.7 liter V8 remains unchanged, and pumps out an adequate 381-hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. The interior and exterior on the other hand, get lots of changes. There’s a unique front grille, blacked out headlights, front tow hooks, and big “TRD PRO” logos stamped into the sides of the bed. The inside gets unique trim, black and red seats, and a masculine TRD shift knob. Buyers can even get a 4-door Double Cab version. And mercifully, Inferno Red isn’t the only color choice. Attitude Black, and Super White are also available.

While the 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro is a seriously capable truck, it doesn’t offer the daydream-inducing speed and dune jumping ability of the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. Or the climb-over-anything ability of the Ram Power Wagon. By those standards, this Tundra TRD

is far from the best truck that Toyota could build. But it’s the best they can do with what they’ve got to work with. Ironically, the 2015 Toyota Tundra is even being outsold by the smaller 2015 Toyota Tacoma. So Toyota needs to go back to the drawing board, before they try to make another ‘halo truck’.